Why you need to compose your own song to make Jesus known

Why you need to compose your own song to make Jesus known

Our lives should be like those of the Psalmists; a song that others love listening to explains Director of Training Dave Newton.

Living in Worcestershire, it is hard to escape the story of Edward Elgar. Whether it is visiting the Elgar Museum or driving the Elgar Route, he was certainly someone who put his mark on society. Described by many as the most popular English composer, Elgar’s famous face and even more famous moustache adorned the £20 note until as recently as 2010.

As well as being a football fan, dog-lover, keen cyclist and inventor, this violinist and composer created the most famous work ‘Enigma Variations’, later gaining a knighthood for his contribution to music. I find it interesting that a relatively ordinary man from the Midlands, born over 150 years ago, could create music that influences the world far beyond his lifetime.

Whilst we may not be composers or boast a fantastic moustache, Psalm 96 does encourage us to be singers of a song.

“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.”

A new song

David, the probable writer of this Psalm, urges the reader to sing a new song. There is nothing wrong with hearing the old faithfuls from time to time, but when it comes to the theme song of our lives we need to live out of our fresh encounters with Jesus.

What is God doing in your life each day that you can’t keep quiet? Are we expecting the surprises of God in the everyday world of our lives? How is his salvation song affecting our world day by day? As followers of Jesus we are called to let our lives sing a new song that isn’t repetitive, isn’t antiquated or out of date.

A song for everyone

This is a song that we can all sing. Whilst I am a firm believer in quality training, we cannot restrict the song of the Church to trained professionals. We need to mobilise the whole Church to sing wherever they go: live lives of worship, singing songs which amplify and harmonise the wonderful good news message of Jesus. Allow our lives to synchronise with his and to be the melody that draws others into the presence of Jesus.

A salvation song

Psalm 96 encourages the reader to make the theme of our song SALVATION. In an increasingly independent, self-obsessed society, it is easy to make ourselves the focus of our lives, thinking we are the ones in charge, on the throne of our life. But here we are encouraged to remember, celebrate and focus our song on what Jesus has done and who he is.

We can easily reduce salvation to a moment in history when we accepted Jesus for the first time and forget that he demands full control of our lives. He shapes, defines and refines us, making us into the people he created us to be.

A repetitive song

Usually, if a song is on repeat it gets a little dreary, leaving you wanting to turn it off or at least significantly reduce the volume. Here, however, we are challenged to sing our salvation song constantly. In fact, the writer suggests there are no appointed times for this song, but that it should be on daily repeat.

How are you allowing Jesus to impact the daily routine of your life? Apart from Sunday church attendance how does your life look different to someone without Christ in their life? As we allow Jesus to shape, change and transform us day by day we begin to recognise familiar grooves, explore exciting refrains and develop exciting melodies that make Jesus known over ourselves.

Whoever composes your favourite music and whatever genre you like to listen to, remember we are all called to be composers of a new song as our lives make him known in our world.